FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WBAY) – The Fond du Lac Senior Center is the first in the nation to offer a new vibration therapy device to improve balance, strength, and prevent falls.
The device comes from a Sheboygan-based medical tech company called Vibetech, giving seniors in Fond du Lac a boost without breaking a sweat.
Karen Vogds has neuropathy, a condition that can cause numbness and weakness. After just a few sessions on the Vibetech 3, she says she’s already feeling a difference.
“The first time I used it, I was like ‘Oh,’ and I went home and was like ‘Oh, ok, this is kind of nice,’” Vogds said. “I’m signed up for the rest of this month, and then we will see what goes from there. I’m sure I’ll probably do more. But I know a lot of people are interested, so I might lose my spot.”
The machine uses gentle vibrations to activate muscles without strain. Just ten minutes can help improve strength, balance, and reduce pain.
Technology born from space research
Vibetech founder and CEO Jeff Leismer first developed the technology to help astronauts stay strong in space. The concept began during his master’s research at Michigan Tech, where he studied ways to increase bone density for astronauts in zero-gravity, addressing one of the biggest challenges of long-duration spaceflight.
The company started in 2007, went full-time in 2010, and continues expanding manufacturing and availability in the U.S. and internationally.
Leismer developed robotic leg-press equipment that uses therapeutic vibrations to involuntarily contract muscles, replicating the natural impact vibrations we get from walking or running. He realized the technology could also benefit older adults and people with limited mobility, providing “exercise without effort.”
“We designed the robotics so that you can just put your feet on this device, and it will automatically start vibrating and resisting your push so it meets you right where you’re at,” Leismer said. “If you can push harder, it will meet you there, and it will move back and adjust its position accordingly.”
Now, Vibetech devices are helping more than 30,000 people with limited mobility here on Earth.
“We started to focus on people in long-term care, in the nursing home, who might not be able to get out of their bed, even,” Leismer said. “They’re able to prevent different problems from happening just by coming in and getting access to movement and exercise, the resistance and those vibrations that are critical to our well-being.”
FDA-approved device shows promising results
Vibetech’s latest version is wheelchair accessible, portable, and automatically adjusts resistance and vibration to the user, making it safe and personalized. The device is FDA-listed as a Class I medical device, meeting safety standards and allowing for insurance billing codes.
The device has shown results like restoring strength, improving balance, and reversing mobility decline in seniors—even those with severe conditions like diabetic neuropathy or post-chemotherapy weakness.
Leismer emphasizes that the device replicates natural mechanical forces, is gentle yet effective, and uniquely provides meaningful physical activity to those who cannot otherwise exercise.
“By breaking down those barriers to physical activity, we’re increasing strength, we’re improving balance, we’re improving circulation, sensation, reducing pain, and things that prevent people from doing other physical activities,” Leismer said. “We’re getting rid of those, and we’re allowing people to now get back on their feet.”
Senior center embraces new wellness approach
Cathy Loomans, director of the Fond du Lac Senior Center, first learned about Vibetech when a representative stopped by to discuss falls prevention and wellness for older adults. The center hosted a demo during Falls Prevention Month in September, letting members try the device, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“Our people are really engaged in staying well,” Loomans said. “They want to know what they do to proactively stay healthy, physically, mentally, cognitively, emotionally, and so this is just one of those other tools in our box of what we can offer to help people do that.”
Since then, the center has made the Vibetech 3 machine available to the community for free, no matter what, with appointments lasting 10 minutes.
“We have a sign-up, so people pick the time that comes best for them,” Loomans said. “We have appointments scheduled every 12 minutes so that we can just keep it moving and get as many people in as we can on any given day.”
The center has already seen early success stories, including reduced pain, improved mobility, and greater confidence in everyday activities. The device was purchased by the Friends of the Fond du Lac Senior Center, a local nonprofit, and has been in use since January 16.
Loomans says the machine is one of many ways to promote wellness and longevity in the community.
“Falls are the leading cause of death for older adults in Wisconsin, and if we can just take a bite of that and start helping our community age well, and that’s mission accomplished for us,” Loomans said.
Loomans emphasizes that offering this technology aligns with the center’s mission to help seniors age well and enjoy the “gift of longevity.”
“It’s kind of like somebody got a new car, and everybody wants to check it out,” Vogds said.
The Fond du Lac Senior Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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